GCC

This weekend, the big city is coming to the small one in Genesee Community College's production of "Chicago."

"I've always wanted to do 'Chicago,' but we've never had the right people together at the right time," says Director Maryanne Arena. "It's been a dream of mine, and a dream of Patti [Simmons, the choreographer]'s. She's someone that I respect very much, and we just thought that if we don't do it now, we never will."

"Chicago" is an exciting show that is all about jazz, sex and fame -- and the lengths people will go to for all three. Set in the title city during the Prohibition Era, the musical centers around two imprisoned murderesses awaiting trial in Cook County Jail: Roxie Hart (portrayed by Kiara Davis), who dreams of being a Vaudeville star, and Velma Kelly (played by Jessica Francis), who already is one. Both are clients of the smooth lawyer Billy Flynn, and will do anything for the spotlight.

Those only familiar with the movie version, starring Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones, will find the stage version to be slightly different, with a dark, minimalist set and mostly black costumes.

"The stage version is more like a Vaudeville show," says Arena. "The show is traditionally done with practically no sets, and all in black. But that wouldn't transfer to the screen properly; it wouldn't hold anybody's attention. The movie is done as though it's all inside Roxie's head, so it could be done in a very flashy way."

Arena says she doesn't believe the show is as racy as its reputation makes it out to be.

"It's about life in the Twenties," she says. "There was murder then, just like there's murder today."

Johnny Dow, who has the role of Billy Flynn, agrees: "I've seen worse. The reaction will depend on the audience."

Every performance will be unique, as two of the lead characters, Billy Flynn and Amos Hart, have been double-cast. Dow will be portraying Billy in the Thursday and Saturday performances, while Norm Gayford will have the role on Friday and Sunday. Roxie's husband Amos will be played by Richard Torres on Thursday and Friday, and Rob Reiss on Saturday and Sunday. Arena decided to split the parts because all auditioned equally well:

"Each of them approached their role differently, with different voices, even a different way of walking. They all deserve it."

Dow, a GCC student, says that although he and Gayford play the same part, they have created very different characters.

"Norm's more realistic, and I wanted my Billy to be more surreal. Mine is very cheesy."

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. General admission ticket prices are $8 for adults, $5 for students, seniors (55+) and GCC faculty, and $3 for GCC students with a valid ID.

Here's news from Genesee Community College about its board of trustees meeting earlier this week.

Genesee Community College has been awarded a $457,661 grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for replacement of campus lighting with new energy-efficient devices.

Through the grant, the college will replace incandescent and fluorescent lighting fixtures and ballasts with more efficient fluorescent lighting and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs over the next year. LED bulbs are highly energy-efficient and last longer than traditional bulbs, according to Kevin P. Hamilton, vice president for finance and operations.

"These changes create greater light output per unit of electrical power used," Hamilton said. "And will result in savings of at least $48,000 annually at Genesee.

NYSERDA is a state agency created to fund research and infrastructure initiatives that result in greater efficiency throughout the state, and ultimately a reduction in reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA grants are highly competitive. The grant proposal was coordinated by longtime Buildings and Grounds Director Timothy M. Landers.

"This is a grant we have never had before," President Stuart Steiner told trustees. "It is very significant."

Hamilton told trustees that the college will continue to seek "green" grants.

"Our hope is that we will receive additional funds to be able to complete other projects such as boiler replacements, upgrades to the energy management system and motor replacements," Hamilton said. "We continue to study the feasibility of solar and wind power."

In other business, the board of trustees:

• Approved a $16,863 athletic facilities upgrade change order for the purchase and installation of new lockers in the men's locker room.
• Heard Board Chair Laurie J. Miller appoint a three-member board subcommittee to review proposed fees for the college's Batavia Campus athletic fields. Named to the ad-hoc committee were Maureen T. Marshall, Chair; Kenneth A. Dodd, and Laura J. Bohm.
• Heard Vice President for Finance and Operations Kevin P. Hamilton report that drywall is being installed in the portion of the new Genesee County Economic Development Center's Med Tech Park designated for the College's nursing program. Staff should be able to move in by July 1. Hamilton also said that only "punch list" items need to be completed on the turf field project. These include landscaping and bleacher work. He also shared preliminary architectural sketches of the planned Art Gallery. Architects recommend a limestone exterior, to match the nearby Batavia Campus entranceways.
• Heard Vice President for Student and Enrollment Services Virginia M. Taylor report that 1,308 individuals applied for admission as full-time students for the Spring 2010 semester, up 32% from the 990 individuals who had applied a year earlier.
• Heard Taylor report that the college is receiving applications from area high school students for Summer 2010 Genesee Promise Plus scholarships. Under this program, seniors enrolled in area high schools receive a scholarship for one or two summer courses at Genesee. Last year, the Promise Plus program had 351 registrations, up 14% from the 217 registrations received in summer 2008, the program's first year.
• Heard Genesee student Lori Mould describe "Bridge Winter Camp," an event that brought 200 SUNY faculty, staff and students to The People's Republic of China over the winter break. The Chinese government invited SUNY to send a delegation as a follow-up to SUNY's gesture a year earlier to bring 150 Chinese students from earthquake-ravaged Sichuan Province. Eight Chinese students completed a year of study at Genesee during the 2008-2009 academic year. Mould shared photographs of Beijing, Olympic Village, Chinese art and architecture, the Panda Research Center, and the Great Wall of China. She was able to meet one of the former Genesee students during the trip. Mould called the visit to China a "life-changing experience." Mould also serves as Genesee Community College student trustee.
• Heard Genesee student Colleen McKay describe her business experience in her native Canada, and how she came to select Genesee as her college choice. McKay, whose family lives in Woodstock, Ontario, started a farm market business with her brothers and sisters as a youngster. The business operates about six months a year, selling produce and baked goods. Called – "Your Farm Market" – it has grown over the years and now earns more than $400,000 annually in gross revenue. McKay, 20, and a longtime softball pitcher, met Genesee Assistant Softball Coach Pat Clark, who was visiting Woodstock and talking to prospective students. "I spent about five minutes with him, and he taught me six new pitches in that short period of time. I was so amazed by him, and after he left, I looked up Genesee Community College on the web. I knew I wanted to come here and play softball." McKay is pursuing a degree in Entrepreneurship and holds a 4.0, or straight A, average. She calls Genesee an "amazingly friendly place.

Pictured are Mike Nelson of Utah,  Sonny Moscato of Buffalo, Dan Walczak of Tonawanda and Michale Quinlan of Buffao, all members of the team

                        Jordan and Linda joining in on the night

On Thursday evenings when the Care-A-Van bus is out in the neighborhoods knocking on doors to invite folks out for dinner and prayer, you never know who might be behind the doors.

Tonight when the ministry was at the Parksite apartments on North Spruce Street , behind  one door was 4 members of the GCC Men's Lacrosse Team. The guys came out to the bus and had some  delicioius famous Care-A-Van chili. We were blessed to meet them and spend time with them. It has been interesting when meeting the students to find out where they come from. Mike Nelson, one of the Lacrosse team members is from Utah!  Several other families came out to enjoy dinner, receive clothing groceries and prayer. It was an awesome night out and we were blessed to be a part of their kickoff for their upcoming season. If you are a Lacrosse fan you can find their schedule at this link :  http://www.genesee.edu/athletics/teams/mlax-201002/dspSchedule

Good luck guys and may the Lord bless you all!

Genesee Community College will once again offer the Genesee Promise Plus Scholarship program to all 2010 GLOW area high school graduates. Under the Genesee Promise Plus Scholarship program, any 2010 high school graduate is eligible to take up to two free college courses during the July 6 - Aug. 7 summer session if they attended high school in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans or Wyoming Counties (the College's GLOW service area).

The Genesee Promise Plus also includes the following students:

• Students who live in the four-county GLOW service area who earned a GED Diploma in 2010 are eligible for up to two free summer courses, regardless of age.
• 2010 GLOW area graduates from home-school programs.
• 2010 high school graduates who attended high schools outside of the GLOW service area but have accumulated GCC college credits through the College's ACE Program.

Under the Genesee Promise Plus Scholarship Program, students can take up to two free summer courses at any of the College's seven campus locations including Albion, Arcade, Batavia, Dansville, Lima, Medina and Warsaw. The scholarship pays all tuition and fees and the student is only responsible for purchasing required textbooks. These earned credits can be used to get a head start on college and can be used not only at GCC, but can also be transferred to State University of New York (SUNY) schools and most other colleges and universities.

The deadline for submitting the Genesee Promise Plus Scholarship Application is June 18. The one-page application form is available at all seven Genesee Community College campus locations, as well as on-line at www.genesee.edu/promise <http://www.genesee.edu/promise>. There is no limit to the number of students receiving these scholarships.

For more information, contact Tanya Lane-Martin through email, tmlanemartin@genesee.edu  <http://tmlanemartin@genesee.edu> or call the Admission's Office at 585-345-6800 or 1-866-CALL-GCC. In Batavia, the college is located at 1 College Road.

Here's information provided by a press release from GCC.

More than 600 students were able to begin or continue their education at Genesee Community College during the last five years as a result of the Genesee Community College Foundation's Emergency Assistance Program.

The foundation provides financial grants for students who may have to leave college as a result of sudden personal hardships that occur through no fault of their own. Over the last five years, emergency grants have been provided to students who were victims of house fires, death or desertion of a spouse, or some other personal emergency or tragedy.

Although the foundation raises funds for emergency grants as part of its annual fundraising efforts, a mainstay of emergency-assistance support comes from earnings from the foundation's Challenge Fund. It's a $525,000 endowment fund created between 2000 and 2004 by private donors and the Department of Education. The fund was established after the college received a highly competitive Department of Education challenge grant, offering two dollars for every private dollar raised. The foundation raised the private dollars, created the endowment and dubbed it "The Challenge Fund."

The college is fortunate to recently receive a second endowment challenge; this one is an $80,000 dollar-for-dollar challenge for each of the next five years. As the foundation raises $80,000 in private gifts, the Department of Education will forward an additional $80,000 to expand the endowment, and the earnings will provide more assistance to students in need in the future.

In each case, the emergency grant provided a modest sum that enabled the student to continue their education, according to Alice Weather, director of the Foundation's Annual Fund.

"For example, one student recently lost her school supplies and textbooks in a fire that destroyed her family home," Weather said. "We provided funds to replace these materials. We sometimes see single parents in their 30s or 40s who are working, raising a family and struggling to get an education, then their car breaks down. For most of us this isn't a huge problem, but students depend on their cars to get to class, so we can help with emergency repairs.

"In another case, we provided funds for a week of child care after an adult student's mother, who had been babysitting, was rushed to the hospital with a medical emergency. To many students the grant is literally the lifeline they need to overcome an emergency and stay on track with their education."

"Students are often stretched to the limit," said Tamara Adams, outreach specialist in the Adult Educational Opportunity Center (AOEC) at Genesee. "We want to retain students who are truly dedicated to their education and have genuine needs from emergencies. Every semester I see unexpected expenses turn into a financial crisis that can end up taking a student out of school. We cannot permit strong, capable students to disrupt their education over a few hundred dollars."

Adams noted that students facing an emergency must have a nomination from a faculty or staff member, employer or human services agency who can verify the emergency before a grant will be made. When the emergency assistance money runs out, students have to be turned away. The occasions of students needing emergency or unplanned emergency support are growing and becoming more costly.

Adams said that the college often receives thank-you notes from students who have received emergency support. A victim of a devastating fire wrote: "Thank you so much. You have helped me tremendously when I thought all hope was lost. I had to find another apartment and my text books were completely incinerated. I just want to say thank you to everyone!"

The Genesee Community College Foundation seeks financial support to meet the new endowment challenge grant to support students in need as well as to provide for a wide range of other scholarships, including academically oriented scholarships and scholarships for students preparing for careers critical to the region's growth. Pledges and gifts for the foundation scholarship and grant programs are payable to: The Genesee Community College Foundation, One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020.

For more information on foundation programs call (585) 345-6809 or write to the address above or foundation@genesee.edu

The Genesee Community College Foundation was founded in 1986 by civic and business leaders to provide philanthropic and volunteer support to the College. The foundation has provided several thousand scholarships since that time, assisted in the financing of two new buildings on the Batavia Campus, and it was instrumental in the acquisition of student housing.

Genesee Community College now offers 12 completely online SUNY-accredited associate degree programs.

That means GCC students no longer have to live in proximity to the college's seven locations in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties (GLOW region). In fact, they don't even have to live in the United States to earn an associate's degree from Genesee Community College.

They do, of course, need a computer, Internet access, English language skills and the ability to benefit from college-level work. The tuition is affordable; the faculty is top-notch; schedules are flexible and study times are convenient.

Earning an online degree is ideal for working adults and people with family or employment responsibilities, who may be prevented from attending traditional classroom-based college courses. Students enrolled in online courses and degrees have the flexibility of rich resources, active online discussions, taking tests, studying and submitting assignments at different times of the day or night. When flexibility, convenience and affordability are critical for student success, regardless of the student's location, Genesee has solutions.

Genesee now offers four online Associate in Science degrees, three online Associate in Applied Science degrees, one online Associate in Arts degree, and four online certificate programs. These online degrees are:

• Criminal Justice, AS
• General Studies, AS
• Business Administration, AS
• Teacher Education Transfer, AS
• Criminal Justice, AAS
• Business Administration, AAS
• Entrepreneurship, AAS
• Liberal Arts-Humanities and Social Science, AA

Plus, Certificates in Criminal Justice, Teaching Assistant, Sales and Customer Service and General Education.

Furthering Genesee's online degree opportunities is the recently implemented Pathways program with Empire State College. Under the program, Genesee students earn up to 83 Genesee credits toward an Empire State Bachelor's Degree -- the equivalent of five semesters of GCC study. Students then enter Empire State's program of individualized study for the balance of their baccalaureate education. Students can complete their studies at Empire through independent study, group study, supervised tutorials, and/or online studies-all guided by qualified professional mentors.

"Enrolling in a Genesee online degree program is one of the most cost-effective options available for earning a SUNY degree," Robert Knipe, Dean of Learning Technologies at Genesee said. "An associate degree is the first step in earning a bachelor's or higher degree. GCC has the resources and technologies to make those educational dreams a reality, when the student is learning-ready."

Online degrees and courses are ideal for mature, self-motivated students who work well autonomously, can effectively budget their time, and set priorities independently. Genesee Community College carefully helps students appreciate this facet of online learning through careful advisement. An informal self-assessment, or quiz is available on its website at: http://www.genesee.edu/_content/depts/dl/Quiz/Online_Course_Choice.htm

"Earning a degree online is a life-changing opportunity, but each student needs to have the correct tools and temperament for the work required," Knipe added. "We carefully guide students through the first steps to help ensure their success."

To find out more about all the online degree opportunities through Genesee Community College visit www.genesee.edu/DL <http://www.genesee.edu/DL >  or call (585) 345-6969.

For information on the Pathways Program with Empire State College visit www.esc.edu/GeneseeCC.  <http://www.esc.edu/GeneseeCC>

Volunteers at Genesee Community College will provide free income-tax preparation services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the 2010 tax season.

The Genesee County Department of Social Services is coordinating with volunteers at the college to provide appointment-based services (at DSS) as well as two walk-in service days at the Batavia Campus (T205). Walk-in service days will be from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6 and from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18.

The VITA Program offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income (generally, $49,000 and below) people who cannot prepare their own basic tax returns. Certified volunteers sponsored by various organizations receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls and other convenient locations. Most locations also offer free electronic filing.

Genesee Community College is the newest local community group to provide these tax services. Genesee's volunteers consist of faculty, staff and current students. They have been certified and trained by the IRS to prepare the tax returns. The taxes are prepared by the certified volunteers with the IRS approved "Taxwise" program, an online program that the preparers use. Mark Castiglione from Genesee County DSS is the VITA site coordinator for Genesee County. Both Federal and State returns are filed. The client leaves with a copy of the returns that have been prepared.

Under the leadership of Certified Public Accountant Cheryl Corke, assistant professor of Accounting at Genesee, the student and faculty volunteers have undergone rigorous online training to be able to use the IRS computer software. Three faculty members have been certified to prepare the taxes, Cheryl Corke (accounting), Amy Conley (accounting) and Donna LaMura (chemistry). In addition to the certified faculty members, there are a number of accounting students and college staff who have been active and will assist in the program.

"We have a strong, dedicated group of volunteers who are excited to help our community members prepare their taxes," Corke said. "We've been working hand-in-hand with DSS and the IRS to make the walk-in sessions go as smooth as possible."

The VITA program is a free service for clients with basic returns (no schedule Cs, Ds and no businesses) and with a combined income of $49,000 or less. There will be a welcome table with a checklist of all the materials people need to have prior to preparation services (Social Security cards for all individuals including dependents, all W-2s and 1099s, etc. and proof of identity such as driver's license).

For more information please contact Cheryl Corke at 585-343-0055 x6323 or at cacorke@genesee.edu <http://cacorke@genesee.edu. >.

On Thursday evening, the GCC Christian Students United group teamed up with Care-A-Van Ministries to welcome the students back for the second semester.

Pictured above is Janet Richardson on right, sharing an invitation to Lataya Vialva to come and join in on the fun with Christian Students United on Tuesday afternoons from 12:30 to 1:30. The group meets and has pizza and fellowship. Currently, the group has about 30 students attending.  Elder Ron of Care-A-Van was on hand to offer prayer to those students that requested it.

Every month, Care-A-Van Ministries knocks on all 95 dorm rooms to give out a treat and let the students know that if they ever need anything, the ministry is only a phone call away. We offer prayer to the students as well as  a listing of local churches Rides to church are offered as well.  Last night, we had alot of students asking for prayer to get over the flu bug and for wisdom in their studies this semester.

Dana Thomas, the Residents Assistant was on hand to guide the students and Care-Van team through the dorms.

Genesee Community College will host a Bio-Tech Science Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday in the Forum at the Batavia Campus.

The Science Fair will involve four schools from throughout the GLOW region, including 225 elementary and 85 high school students.

The third- and fourth-graders will collectively come from Robert Morris Elementary (Batavia), Medina, Perry and York schools.

The participating teens will be from Batavia High School. They will mentor and lead the elementary students through a series of lab experiments and hands-on science activities that will expose them to interesting, challenging and current science topics with an emphasis on biotechnology.

The student teachers will have the opportunity to explore the area of teaching sciences and the rapidly growing field of biotechnology. They will also be encouraged to explore the many opportunities available to them in the world of science as well teaching and education, including the Biotechnology, AS degree offered at Genesee Community College.

All participants will have the opportunity to learn how to use scientific equipment, new technologies and computer software.

"I hope that the Bio-tech Science Fair exposes both our high school students and our elementary students to the exciting world of biotechnology," said Deborah Dunlevy, College Tech Prep coordinator at Genesee. "There is a great need for talented professionals in math, science, and technology. This is a unique opportunity for the students to become familiar with a cutting edge and exciting career field."

The fair is funded in part by the College's Tech Prep program and the President's Innovation Award grant.

For further information please contact Dunlevy, at 343-0055 x 6316 or dkdunlevy@genesee.edu . <http://dkdunlevy@genesee.edu .>

Genesee Community College Foundation's Annual Campaign is underway. This year's theme is "Extraordinary."

"Everyone has a vested interest in making this campaign a success," said Le Roy resident Robert Boyce, foundation board director and general chair of the campaign. "A stronger Genesee Community College helps make our Western New York region a better place to live and work for all of us. Campaign division chairs share the responsibility to attract and retain students and to promote the value of the college to the community."

He added that there are several divisions in the Extraordinary Campaign. Each division chair is responsible for a portion of the overall $459,000 goal. Division chairs include:

Associates Division: Jane Scott, of Stafford, branch manager, Five Star Bank

Batavia Faculty and Staff Division: Marirose Ethington, of Pavilion, professor of biology

Genesee Division: Michael Grammatico, of Batavia, vice president, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisors

Heritage Division: Patrick Forsyth of Batavia, CPA, John J. Forsyth, CPA, PC and foundation board director

Leadership Division: Roger Christiano, of Batavia, president, Christiano Cellular and foundation board director

"Independent auditors estimate a $501 million dollar impact of the college on our region," Boyce said. "The figure includes college spending, faculty, staff and student spending and the increased earning power of graduates who remain in the region.

"This extraordinary impact alone is justification for encouraging students to attend Genesee as high school students obtaining college credit, as potential transfer students to a four-year college, or as students seeking degrees or certificates to prepare for specific careers. As community members, we encourage enrollment at the college through our involvement and our financial support of the foundation's programs."

Leadership Chair and foundation Board Member Christiano said the new campaign theme, Extraordinary, reflects the many positive and special aspects of the college.

"Our financial gifts support excellence in the classroom through scholarship incentives to students with the potential for high academic achievement, and we make higher education available to all area residents who are capable, regardless of their ability to pay," Christiano said. "The economic vitality that the college brings to our region is tremendous as tomorrow's leaders are trained and our local workforce is strengthened through career and certificate programs such as nursing, respiratory care, physical therapy assistant, human services, business, criminal justice, marketing and retail."

The college's enrollment is at a record level this year with over 7,200 full- and part-time students. The Extraordinary campaign's overall goal of $459,000 includes $80,000 for an endowment challenge grant from the federal Department of Education.

"Only a small number of community colleges across the nation receive the endowment challenge grant each year," said Professor Ethington, Chair of the Faculty and Staff Division. "Fortunately, Genesee Community College was awarded one this fall and for five successive years the endowment challenge grant will match, dollar for dollar, every dollar we raise on behalf of students in need, up to $80,000 a year.

"Each year, as we achieve our goal, we will build our endowment by $160,000. This means that after five years the endowment will have $800,000 to support awards to deserving students. Our 2009-2010 campaign is committed to meeting the endowment challenge grant. We are paying ahead for future students and to do this, college employee, corporate and community support is vital."

The Genesee Community College Foundation was formed in the mid-'80s as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing service to and support of the college. Its 30-member board of directors is comprised of business and civic leaders, and last year, the foundation's philanthropic support provided 536 scholarships to Genesee students totaling $284,184.

Contributions for support for the college programs and students may be sent to the Genesee Community College Foundation, One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020. For more information contact the foundation (585) 345-6809 or foundation@genesee.edu.  <http://foundation@genesee.edu>

A change of venue for the Section V High School Cross Country Championships puts Batavia and Genesee Community College at center stage this Saturday.  The college grounds will be filled with runners and their families and friends from 92 Section V schools vying for individual and team championship titles.  Here is a list of the race times:

10:30am  Boys Class C

11:00am Boys Class D/DD

11:30am  Girls Class C

12:00 noon  Girls Class D/DD

12:30pm  Awards Ceremony 1 -- Class C/D/DD Boys and Girls

1:00pm  Boys Class AA

1:30pm  Boys Class A

2:00pm  Boys Class B

2:30pm  Girls Class AA

3:00pm  Girls Class A

3:30pm  Girls Class B

4:00pm  Awards Ceremony 2 -- Class AA/A/B  Boys and Girls

Genesee Community College's Men's Soccer Team alumni are preparing for an exciting, first-ever alumni soccer match scheduled at 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24.

They will play on the new all-weather soccer field at the Batavia Campus.

Organized by Men's Soccer assistant coach Jim Cody, players will be arranged into two teams according to graduating years. Odd-graduating years will play even-graduating years.

During the game, cider and doughnut refreshments will be provided by Genesee's Alumni Office. Tee shirts will also be provided to those participating in the match. Prior to the alumni game, the current Men's Soccer team will play Cayuga Community College at 1 o'clock.

"We hope to make this an annual event," Cody said. "We already have alumni signed up that graduated over 25 years ago! We really want to get young and old players back to campus to celebrate the new field and hopefully in the future expand this event to include the women's teams."

Following the alumni game, players as well as friends, families and spectators are welcomed to a gathering at O'Lacy's Irish Pub in Batavia to celebrate, meet old friends and reminisce.

This event is free, and the general public is invited to participate as spectators. For more information, please contact Jim Cody at 585-343-0055 ext. 6670.